Carpenters Pay Range in California
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$47,490
- 25th Percentile — Junior$59,740
- 50th Percentile — Median$75,920
- 75th Percentile — Senior$95,830
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$119,950
Half of Carpenters in California earn more than $75,920. The top 10% make $119,950 or more, while entry-level workers start around $47,490.
Carpenters in California: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- California ranks 6th of 51 states for Carpenters pay, at $78,810 per year (20.1% above the U.S. average of $65,630).
- 100,750 people work as Carpenters in California — 15.0% of all U.S. Carpenters jobs.
- Location quotient 1.28: Carpenters jobs are more concentrated in California than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $47,490; the top 10% earn over $119,950.
- Hourly equivalent: $37.89 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Hawaii at $87,480.
- Among construction jobs in California, Construction and Building Inspectors pays the most ($103,850).
Carpenters Job Market in California
Key factors affecting compensation
California's key industries are Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture, and its job market is rated very strong. Carpenters here earn $78,810 on average, placing the state 6th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.42 (U.S. = 1.00), a California salary of $78,810 is roughly equivalent to $55,500 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Alaska ($80,460), Illinois ($80,320), Massachusetts ($79,680) are the closest alternatives for Carpenters weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Construction Jobs in California
Related career salary benchmarks
- Construction and Building Inspectors $103,850/yr California +31.8% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades $103,760/yr California +31.7% vs this role
- Pipelayers $94,440/yr California +19.8% vs this role
- Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators $94,000/yr California +19.3% vs this role
- Electricians $85,860/yr California +8.9% vs this role
- Sheet Metal Workers $85,580/yr California +8.6% vs this role
- Plumbers Pipefitters and Steamfitters $82,320/yr California +4.5% vs this role
- Structural Iron and Steel Workers $80,920/yr California +2.7% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Carpenters salary in California?
The average Carpenters salary in California is $78,810 per year (median $75,920), which is 20.1% above the national average of $65,630.
How does California rank for Carpenters pay?
California ranks 6th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Hawaii ($87,480/yr).
How much do entry-level Carpenters make in California?
The lowest-paid 10% of Carpenters in California earn about $47,490 per year and the 25th percentile is $59,740.
How much do Carpenters make per hour in California?
About $37.89 per hour, based on the $78,810 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Carpenters work in California?
BLS counts 100,750 Carpenters jobs in California (OEWS May 2025).
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